The Family That Rocks Together

A Petaluma family are finalists in Rolling Stone’s “My Family Rocks” contest and could get a chance to attend the Grammy’s and win a new car if selected.

In November the magazine asked readers to submit a photo and explain why their family rocked—musically and otherwise. Thousands of families entered, but the Milazzos beat out most of the competition, along with 11 other families.

The family, which include parents Mark and Heather and sons Massimo, 2, and Emmet, 1, says they deserve the award because music is an integral part of their lives. Mark Milazzo is in a band, the Smashing Banjos, which plays gigs in prisons, nursing homes and other places “where people can’t get out to experience music” and works for Kala Brand Music Co., the largest ukulele manufacturer in the country based right here in town.

The couple is also involved in organizing musical activities at their church, New Life Christian Fellowship in Petaluma.

Their kids love strumming their ukuleles and playing their other instruments alongside mom and dad.

“Every moment we can make into a jam, we do,” the family wrote in their entry to the contest. “We play air guitar, and have cardboard box amps when the real deal isn‘t available. It is our hope that our kids will take our love for music, and the high value we place on volunteer work and make a difference in the world.”

The photo submitted for the contest was taken on Water Street by local photographer Gina Peterson for the family’s Christmas card.

“We were walking and taking photos by the (Balshaw) bridge, and behind the shops on the boulevard when Gina suggested we step up onto one of the loading docks,” Mark said. “Max immediately recognized it as a stage and began hamming it up,” adds Heather.

The winner will be determined in part by the number of votes received through January 17. Votes can be cast once every day until the contest ends.

Click here to read more about the Milazzos and to vote for the Petaluma family.

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